Liquid Pump with Pressure Switching for Multi-Ink Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid pumps for inkjet printers are costly and prone to durability issues due to the use of tube pumps, which can break, and gear pumps, which generate ground powder that can contaminate ink, affecting print quality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid pump design featuring a liquid storage unit with separate chambers for each ink type, a pressure adjusting mechanism for alternating pressures, and a pass resistance mechanism to control ink levels, along with inlet and outlet valves for directional flow, and a control unit to manage the pumping process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a tube pump is used to convey ink by pressing the tube, then the pump structure is simple, but the tube may break and require high flexibility and chemical resistance, resulting in a costly pump
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fragile tube component from the pump system and replaces it with a gear pump mechanism. The tube P20 that was being pressed by roller P17 is removed, and its function is taken over by the gear pump's direct pumping action, eliminating the risk of tube breakage while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive, fragile tube component with a more durable gear pump structure. The tube required high flexibility and chemical resistance at high cost, whereas the gear pump uses standard mechanical components that are more reliable and less expensive to manufacture.
2Reliability
If a gear pump is used to convey ink, then the pump structure is simple and durable, but ground powder is generated from the rotating and rubbing gear portion that can be mixed with ink and cause defective ink jet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gear pump mechanism that generates ground powder and replaces it with a peristaltic pump system. The rotating gear portion that causes contamination is extracted from the system, and its function is replaced by the peristaltic action of the tube pump, eliminating the source of ground powder while maintaining pumping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of tube breakage into a benefit by using a tube design that is intentionally made flexible and chemically resistant. The tube P20 is designed to withstand the pressing action without breaking, and when it does wear, it can be easily replaced without affecting the overall system reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple liquid pumps are provided for multiple ink types, then each ink type can be supplied reliably, but the device becomes large and costly with multiple power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal pump system where a single peristaltic pump can handle multiple ink types by sequentially changing the tube P20. The pump mechanism itself remains the same, but the tube is replaced to match the required ink type, allowing one pump unit to serve multiple functions without requiring separate power sources for each ink type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple pump functions into a single pump unit. Instead of having separate pumps for each ink type, the system combines them by using one peristaltic pump that can process different ink types through tube replacement, thereby reducing the number of power sources and overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design allows for efficient, reliable, and cost-effective simultaneous supply of multiple ink types with improved durability and reduced risk of ink contamination, maintaining consistent ink levels and print quality.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure adjusting mechanism, connected to the coupling member, for alternately switching between a negative pressure and a positive pressure of the internal pressure of the liquid chamber
Implementation Method 2
an inlet pipe having an inlet valve capable of passing the liquid only in one direction for passing the liquid to the liquid chamber
Implementation Method 3
an outlet pipe having an outlet valve capable of passing the liquid only in one direction for wasting the liquid in the liquid chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A long-life pump capable of simultaneously conveying plural liquids and an inkjet printer having the pump are provided. The liquid pump includes: a liquid storage unit having liquid chambers trapping at least two types of liquids with each chamber corresponding to the type of the trapped liquid; a coupling member for connection to each liquid chamber of the liquid storage unit; a pressure adjusting mechanism, connected to the coupling member, for alternately switching between a negative pressure and a positive pressure of an internal pressure of the liquid chamber; an inlet valve capable of passing the liquid to the liquid chamber; an outlet valve discharging the liquid in the liquid chamber; and a pass resistance variable mechanism adjusting an amount of the liquid trapped in the liquid chamber depending on a level of the liquid in the liquid chamber.